The $1.128 billion Mega Millions jackpot for March 2024 remains unclaimed in New Jersey. If unclaimed after one year, the jackpot money will be returned to participating states. There have been unclaimed jackpots in the past, but none have reached $1 billion. Lottery officials speculate that the winners are: Consult a financial advisor or create a spending plan.
It’s been six months since a New Jersey player won a $1.128 billion Mega Millions jackpot, but no one has claimed their winnings.
There’s still time for the $1 billion jackpot winner, but this isn’t the first time a winning Mega Millions ticket has gone unclaimed.
The lucky New Jersey ticket was purchased on March 26 at ShopRite Liquor in coastal Neptune Township. According to the lottery, the winning numbers for the white ball were 7, 11, 22, 29, and 38, and the winning numbers for the gold mega ball were 4. After taxes, this ticket is worth $536.6 million.
Jackpot winners in New Jersey can wait up to a year to receive their Mega Millions winnings.
Here’s a look at Mega Millions, its past unclaimed jackpot winners, and what happens to the unclaimed money.
What happens if no one wins the Mega Millions jackpot?
If the jackpot prize is not claimed, each participating state in the Mega Millions game will receive a full refund of the amount contributed.
“For multi-state games like Mega Millions, if the jackpot is not claimed, the funds are returned to all participating lotteries based on their share of sales,” a Mega Millions spokesperson said. Dan Miller told USA TODAY. “Every lottery has its own rules for distributing unclaimed prizes.”
A $1 billion jackpot was won in New Jersey, but the state doesn’t get to keep all the money.
“New Jersey cannot keep the entire $1.1 billion if the award is not received,” he said. “Most states either go back to lottery beneficiaries or go back to players through additional prizes or promotions or a combination of the two.”
Have you ever had an unclaimed jackpot?
This is not the first time a jackpot winner has not claimed their prize or delayed receiving it, but this has never happened before with a $1 billion jackpot, Miller said. .
Winners in New York, Florida and other states are missing out on the chance to become millionaires.
Miller cited a $68 million jackpot in 2002, a $46 million jackpot in 2003 and a $31 million jackpot in 2006 as examples in New York. Last year in Florida, a $39 million jackpot went unclaimed, he said.
Players may not receive their jackpot prize immediately due to several reasons
Miller explains that some people may wait longer to claim their prize for strategic reasons.
“Sometimes they’re talking to their financial advisor. Sometimes when they claim the money, they’re trying to come up with a plan of what they want to do with the money,” Miller said. “Our hope has always been that people who win come forward and claim their prizes, because obviously we want people who play to win.”
Mega Millions, which began as the first “big game” on August 31, 1996, made history on March 30, 2012 as the world’s largest jackpot game with an estimated jackpot of $656 million. I left my name behind. Since then, the record has been broken many times. As the jackpot continues to reach new highs, the lottery wants to encourage players to check their tickets.
Why is the Mega Millions cash option lower than the estimated jackpot?
Mr. Miller explained the difference between the estimated jackpot and the cash option.
“Let’s say the estimated jackpot is advertised as $100 million and the cash option is $50 million. A jackpot advertised as $100 million will be paid out to someone over a period of time,” Miller said. Ta. “It’s paid over many years.”
However, players can get their money faster if they choose the cash option.
“They’re saying if you choose to get paid in full now, you can get $50 million in cash today, but that’s all you’ll get,” he said.
New Jersey players can remain anonymous
New Jersey is one of the states that allows lottery winners to remain anonymous under a law enacted in 2020.
But the Lottery said the winners’ identities will be shared with other state agencies as “claims are reviewed for collection of unpaid child support, student loan arrears, unpaid taxes, etc.”
What is the highest Mega Millions jackpot?
According to the Lottery, the top 10 jackpots won as of October 4 are:
$1.602 billion, August 8, 2023. Florida player $1.537 billion, October 23, 2018. South Carolina player $1.348 billion, January 13, 2023. Maine player $1.337 billion, July 29, 2022. Illinois player $1.128 billion, March 26, 2024. New Jersey $1.05 Billion Payer, January 22, 2021. $810 million for Michigan players, September 10, 2024. $656 million to Texas player, March 30, 2012. Player from Illinois, Kansas and Maryland $648 million, Dec. 17, 2013. $552 million to California and Georgia players, June 4, 2024. illinois player
How to play Mega Millions
To purchase tickets, you will need to go to your local convenience store, gas station, or grocery store. You can also purchase tickets online in some states.
To play, you must choose six numbers. The five numbers become white balls from 1 to 70. A gold mega ball is a single number from 1 to 25.
If you think the odds are against you, request a “Quick Pick” or “Easy Pick.” A computer randomly generates a number.
For $1, players can add a “Megaplier,” which can increase their non-Grand Prize winnings by 2, 3, 4, or 5 times. The Megaplier is drawn before the Mega Millions numbers on Tuesdays and Fridays.
There are a total of 15 Megapiler Balls.
2X, 5 balls 3X, 6 balls 4X, 3 balls 5X, 1 ball
Where can I buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased directly at gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the USA TODAY Network’s official digital lottery courier, in the following U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington DC, and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to choose your lottery games and numbers, place your order, check your tickets, and claim your winnings, all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery carrier of USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue from viewer referrals to the Jackpocket Service. Must be 18 years or older, 21 years or older in Arizona, 19 years or older in Nebraska. Not affiliated with any state lottery. Gambling problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (ALL OTHERS). For full terms and conditions, please visit jackpocket.com/tos.